Game Freak’s Beast of Reincarnation Stands Out With its Unique Combat System

Early previews reveal a surprising action RPG with Sekiro-style combat and Final Fantasy 7 Remake strategy.

Game Freak may have just dropped one of the biggest surprises of 2026. When Beast of Reincarnation was first revealed, it looked interesting, but it was hard to know if it would truly stand out. After the latest previews, though, the game has started getting much more attention, with players and previewers coming away far more impressed than expected. 

The easiest way to understand the combat is to imagine Sekiro’s focus on parries and timing combined with a system that lets you slow down time and carefully choose your next move. Instead of relying only on fast reactions, you also have opportunities to think through your strategy during battles. 

Although the game is not yet available to everyone, early impressions indicate that the combat feels smooth and satisfying. Beast of Reincarnation has quickly gone from a title many people were watching cautiously to one that is now getting serious attention.

Beast of Reincarnation is a single-player action RPG from Game Freak, the studio best known for creating the Pokémon series. 

However, outside of having creatures fighting alongside you, this game is very different from what you would normally expect from the developer. You take control of Emma, a swordmaster traveling through a post-apocalyptic version of Japan with a dog-like companion named Coup. 

The developers describe the game as an open-area experience where you explore several large quarantine zones. Each area has a main path that moves the story forward, but you are also free to explore different locations and discover additional challenges. Beast of Reincarnation launches on August 4 for PC and consoles. 

A corruption called the Blight has spread across the country, causing plants and animals to merge together and transform into dangerous creatures known as Malifax. The world is almost the opposite of something like Horizon, where nature has become the source of the main threat rather than just a setting. 

Instead of destroying him, Emma forms a bond with Coup, and the two begin traveling across Japan together. Their journey eventually leads them to hunt massive corrupted creatures called Nushi, with each major area built around tracking down these powerful enemies. 

The game reportedly begins by throwing you into a much larger battle before going back several months to show how Emma and Coup’s partnership started. Throughout the story, you return to a base area that works as a large vehicle for traveling between locations and preparing for your next mission.

The story appears to be one area where some previewers had concerns. GameSpot’s Jake Decker mentioned that the game introduces a lot of terminology and worldbuilding very quickly, making some parts difficult to fully understand at first. Even so, he still became invested in Emma and Coup’s relationship and wanted to see where their journey would go. 

Once you finish the more linear opening section, you enter the first true open zone with Emma and Coup. 

These areas have clear objectives that usually point you toward one of the Nushi, but you do not have to immediately follow the main path. You can explore ruined buildings, underground bunkers, and optional routes throughout each environment. Coup also comes in handy when exploring, warning Emma of nearby enemies, and discovering hidden crates with weapons, armor, and other useful items.

One of the more interesting details is that some optional enemies can be really powerful when you first meet them. He died a bunch of times, went to different parts of the world, got stronger, and then came back and beat the boss later. The system feels similar to how you might revisit difficult enemies in games like Elden Ring.

Movement is another area where Beast of Reincarnation stands out. Because of Emma’s connection to the Blight, she can transform it into massive roots and vines that work for both exploration and combat. You can use these abilities like a grappling hook, create bridges, cross gaps, and launch yourself through the environment. 

Unlike Sekiro, Beast of Reincarnation uses a more traditional progression system. Defeating enemies gives you experience, and when you level up, you can spend those points at campfires found throughout the world. Previewers mentioned stats like vitality and strength, which improve things such as health and damage.

Both Emma and Coup have their own skill trees, giving you plenty of ways to customize how they fight. Emma’s enhancements involve boosting her combat prowess and mobility, and Coup is granted fresh tactical commands that he can execute in combat. 

You unlock new attacks and passive effects as you level up. One of Coup’s abilities allows him to automatically finish off weaker enemies after Emma damages them enough, making it easier to clear out groups of smaller opponents.

Emma also has access to different weapons throughout the adventure. 

She begins with a sword and a small wrist-mounted crossbow, but previews showed that you can find stronger equipment, including a larger bow during the open-area sections. The combat system is one of the biggest reasons the game has gained more attention. By attacking enemies, you can build up a meter that allows you to perform powerful finishing attacks.

These finishing moves have a surprising amount of range, allowing Emma to quickly close the distance and punish enemies. Previewers said these attacks felt satisfying, and the biggest comparison was once again Sekiro. Jake, who is a big fan of that game, explained that he is usually cautious when another developer tries to recreate that style because few games capture the same feeling. 

The biggest difference is that the parry timing appears to be more forgiving than Sekiro. You still need to understand enemy patterns and react quickly, but the game does not require the same level of precision. That does not mean it will be an easy experience, though. The developers have warned that players who are unfamiliar with parry-focused action games may struggle early on.

Coup adds another layer to the combat by attacking enemies automatically while also providing stronger abilities you can control directly. When you activate his command system, time slows down almost completely, allowing you to choose from up to six equipped abilities. This allows you to analyze the battlefield, identify the biggest threat, and choose the most useful ability.

Previews have demonstrated some of the powers, such as firing fireballs and summoning roots from the ground. These roots can be used to destroy enemy shields, trap larger creatures, and create openings for Emma to attack safely. Coup’s skills also have different elements and affinities that can take advantage of enemy weaknesses. 

This section is where the Final Fantasy 7 Remake comparison becomes clearer. Like the ATB system from those games, Beast of Reincarnation combines action combat with moments where you slow down and make tactical decisions. However, Coup’s strongest abilities require fluorescence points, which you mainly earn by successfully parrying enemy attacks with Emma. 

The previews also showed the first major Nushi battle against a massive corrupted stag. 

Despite its size, the creature moved quickly and could put a lot of pressure on the player. IGN’s Tristan Ogilvie struggled during his first attempts because he reached the fight slightly underleveled after focusing on the main objective. After finding better armor from a nearby chest and preparing properly, he returned and defeated the creature using parries, Coup’s abilities, and a bow he discovered.

The battle reminded some people of games like Wild Hearts and Monster Hunter because of its focus on studying large creatures and finding the right approach. Both previews were played on PC, and while the exact hardware was not revealed, performance appeared promising. 

That does not completely confirm how the game will perform on regular PC setups or consoles, but it is an encouraging early sign. Overall, Beast of Reincarnation appears to be much stronger than many expected. Early impressions suggest that Game Freak may have something special with this new direction.

IGN said the game had already pulled them in, while GameSpot described their time with it as extremely impressive. Jake also believes Game Freak could have a standout title on its hands, which matches the general reaction coming from the previews. There are still unanswered questions, including whether the combat continues to develop, whether later areas remain interesting, and whether the story becomes easier to follow.

For now, Beast of Reincarnation has successfully changed the way many people view it. What started as a project that seemed interesting but uncertain has become one of the more anticipated action RPGs coming in 2026.